War on Greed

Henry Kravis makes $51,369 PER HOUR. You pay more taxes.

Saskatchewan Workers' Charter and Human Rights will be stripped away by new legislation

On Wednesday, December 19, 2007 the Brad Wall Sask Party government introduced two pieces of labour legislation in the form of Bill 5 - The Public Service Essential Services Act and Bill 6 - The Trade Union Amendment Act, 2007.

These two pieces of legislation, if passed in their current form, would result in Saskatchewan becoming the jurisdiction that has the worst union certification legislation and the worst essential services legislation in Canada - bar none.

In a single afternoon, Saskatchewan has gone from a province that had a highly respected and internationally recognized reputation of fair, balanced and competitive labour legislation to one of leading the pack in the race to the bottom. Brilliant retention and recruitment strategy!

See the SFL Official News Release.

Saskatchewan Government to attack workers democratic rights today

The Saskatchewan Government of Brad Wall will be introducing legislation today attacking workers Constitutional and Charter Rights. There has been absolutely no consultation with the organization that represents nearly 100,000 workers who will be directly affected by Bills 5 and 6.

Collective Bargaining is a Charter Right - An Analysis

Lawyers Valerie Matthews Lemieux (Manitoba) and Steven Barrett (Ontario) have recently written an analysis piece respecting Collective Bargaining and the Right to Strike for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives entitled: Charter Protection Extended to Collective Bargaining – How Far Does it Reach? (download the full document in Adobe PDF format here).

It raises serious legal questions about the authority of any government to unilaterally (and especially without broad and meaningful consultation) fetter workers Collective Bargaining Rights, and by extension the Right to Strike - which is an integral element of the collective bargaining process.

The analysis is offered against the backdrop of the recent Supreme Court of Canada decision (June 2007 - HEU B.C.) which enshrined collective bargaining as a Charter Right.

Valerie Matthews Lemieux practices labour and aboriginal law through her own law corporation in Manitoba. She was co-counsel for the AG Manitoba in the original labour trilogy. Steven Barrettt is managing partner at Sack Goldblatt Mitchell in Ontario. He was co-counsel for the Canadian Labour Congress in the recent Health Services case.

Workers finally have new law to protect their wages: CLC

All I can say is: "It's about time!"

Workers finally have new law to protect their wages

December 14, 2007

OTTAWA – Canadian workers have finally won new legal protection for their wages and their pension contributions when their employer goes bankrupt. Bill C-12, a series of amendments to existing insolvency and wage protection laws, was approved by the Senate last night and received Royal Assent today. This was accomplished after an intensive three-year campaign by the Canadian Labour Congress and its affiliated unions to change bankruptcy laws that unfairly put workers last in line to get paid. read more...."

Sask. Party Government reverses decision to abandon Wheat Sheaf Logo

The Sask. Party government has reversed it's plan to abandon the Wheat Sheaf Logo. The iconic emblem has come to symbolize Saskatchewan for the last 30 years. See the Government news release here.

Follow the mainstream media coverage of this decision:

The Globe and Mail coverage

Canwest Global coverage

CBC coverage

CTV Coverage

Police dispatched to deal with Unruly Mogg

Dispatches from the Youth Delegation at the United Nations Climate Talks, Bali

Bill Moyers interviews Keith Olbermann on Moyers Journal

Got 22 minutes to spare? Check out Bill Moyers' interview of Keith Olbermann. You can view the video and print the transcript by clicking here. "Bill Moyers talks with host of MSNBC's COUNTDOWN with Keith Olbermann about the relationships between politics and journalism."

(Photo courtesy PBS)

Who Said What to Whom, and When?

On Wednesday, December 12, 2007 in the Saskatchewan Legislature, Saskatoon NDP MLA Cam Broten asked Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Rob Norris the following question:

"Mr. Broten: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has been suggested that during the recent CUPE strike the Minister of Employment and Labour made a call to Peter MacKinnon, the president of the University of Saskatchewan. When reporters asked about conversations between Mr. MacKinnon and the minister, he replied, quote, “All I’ll say, there was a range of what I would term as quiet diplomacy. And I won’t give any specific details of that.”

To the Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour: what quiet diplomacy did he conduct during the CUPE strike, and exactly what does he feel is an appropriate level of involvement with one side of the table during a labour dispute?" (P. 46 - Hansard - December 12, 2007).

In his response, Mr. Norris did not deny that during the strike he spoke to U of S President, MacKinnon. It's hardly a coincidence then that shortly after CUPE 1975 rejected the University's "so-called final offer", Premier Brad Wall all of the sudden started to threaten back-to-work legislation.

So my questions are:

1. Who Said What to Whom, and When
2. Did the Minister of Employment and Labour really only speak to one-side?
3. Is "Quiet Diplomacy" code for "We did what the University asked us to do"?

I commented about this matter in an earlier post on this blog.

Your Civil Rights Are a Trade Barrier

There's a very interesting article posted over on "AlterNet.org" entitled: Your Civil Rights are a Trade Barrier.

The article discusses how trade agreements trump governments ability to bring in policy and legislation intended to proactively impact our society in ways that result in significant social benefit to the citizens of a country or a province. It reports on "A group of mining companies (who) are suing South Africa over rules requiring they hire some blacks."

In other words - It sheds light on Trade Agreements that prohibit governments from doing what they have been elected to do - which is legislate and regulate in the best interests of the citizens of the jurisdiction from they have been elected - not solely to carry out the wishes of the rich and powerful who occupy seats in the privileged boardrooms of global corporations.

Canada named "Worst Country in the World on Climate Change"

Canada's stance on climate change is a global embarassment.

"International officials and experts have named Canada the worst country in the world on climate change as a result of PM Harper’s climate plan: wreck any chance of an international agreement being reached at the UN summit in Bali this week.

PM Harper's short-sighted and corporate-driven policy on climate change has launched an attack on Canada's traditional role in the world. There's still a few days left to save our country, and the climate. Let's get a massive Canadian roar to remind our PM which country he's leading and what we stand for. Sign the petition, below calling on Harper to change Canada’s position at the Bali summit, and we'll advertise the number of signatures in an ad campaign across Canada this week. Sign the petition now!"

Olbermann: "You, Mr. Bush, are a bald-faced liar."

Christmas Message 2007

Reproduced below is a Christmas message that I just read from Brother Tim Anderson, the President of CUPE Local 21 (City of Regina outside workers). It is very thoughtful and rings loudly in my ears. It is the best message I have seen for a long time and speaks to the sacrifice and commitment that union members make in our communities everyday.

Merry Christmas Tim!

Larry

"With the holiday season fast approaching, Christmas Day is not far away. As President of Local 21 and on behalf the Executive members, I would like to wish you, along with your families, the best of this joyous season. We hope this season will bring happy reunions, celebration, and new memories to cherish as we approach the New Year.

Christmas centers on the birth of a child, and on the message of hope and peace. We hear that message in many ways at Christmas, and it never looses the power to lift our hearts.

The holidays can also deepen our sense of gratitude for life, and for family and friends who fill our lives. We remember how much we have been given, and how much we have to share.

We think of those among us who spend the holidays in sadness or solitude. We think of those facing illness, or the loss of a loved one, or the hardships of poverty or unemployment. And across the city, caring Local 21 members are reaching out to those in need by volunteering their time. By serving a cause greater than themselves, Local 21 members spread hope in our community and make our city a better place to live.

At Christmas we also think of the sisters and brothers of Local 21 who are working shifts insuring the taxpayers are driving on safe streets, have clean water to drink, and recreation facilities to use, something we all take for granted. We are grateful for the commitment of our sisters and brothers, and we are safer because of their skills and sacrifice.

Separation from loved ones is always difficult, especially at this time of year. All sisters and brothers that must work over the holidays know their families miss them. I personally know of this as I worked shifts for some five years.

All Local 21 members who serve others or volunteer their time are living out the spirit of the Christmas season. The story of Christmas is familiar to us all, yet it still brings inspiration and comfort and love to people everywhere.

Whether we are watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the 100th time or watching our children inhale the Christmas spirit for the first time.

May the spirit of the season be with you today and throughout the new year. From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

In Solidarity,
Tim Anderson
President Local 21"

SFL News Release - 2007 Throne Speech

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour news release respecting the December 10, 2007 Saskatchewan Throne Speech is available by clicking here. (in Adobe PDF format)

Another Lawsuit Launched Against a Canadian Bank for Unpaid Overtime

From MSN Finance:

"Scotiabank faces C$350 mln unpaid overtime suit
Reuters
December 10, 2007
TORONTO (Reuters) - A second lawsuit against a Canadian bank alleging unpaid overtime was launched on Monday, this time against Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS.TO) for C$350 million ($346.5 million) in damages." Click here to continue reading.

From the Saskatoon StarPhoenix: Sask. employee representative in $350M class action against Scotiabank

From the Regina Leader-Post: Sask. banker leads lawsuit

From the CBC Website: Scotiabank hit with lawsuit over unpaid overtime

Elsewhere in this blog I reported on a $600 million lawsuit against CIBC.

Still think our Labour Laws are too worker and too union friendly???

Highest Bidder

Would you rather spend 1/2 the government budget on Health Care or WAR?

Trading Democracy for Corporate Rule

This is the best video out there today on TILMA and the SPP. It's 10 minutes long but well worth watching.

Thoughts on "24-hour-a-day" Shopping

Old "Orgie" over at the "Eye on Saskatchewan" blog has posted a stinging yet humorous article about 24 hour shopping entitled: Hello 911....Where can I get bacon at 4 am?. Check it out!

Get ready for the steady onslaught of Anti-Union Rhetoric - disguised as worker democracy

Next Monday (Dec 10, 2007) marks the beginning of the first legislative session of the Wall government in Saskatchewan. Wall's conservative Sask. Party were elected on November 7.

Since things could hardly be better in Saskatchewan, what with the booming economy, low unemployment rate, optimistic population, great productivity and efficiency, labour movement engagement in numerous co-operative initiatives and so on, it is difficult to understand why any government would want to create an unnecessary and totally irresponsible conflict where none currently exists.

Much good will has been built up over the past few years, through significant efforts in the area of Labour/Business/Government co-operation. Just one example is the creation of the new "Saskatchewan Labour Market Commission" which is still in it's infancy, but holds much promise if supported and encouraged.

However, the signals are loud and clear - Brad Wall's government have announced that they will be coming out of the gates with a full frontal attack on working people, their constitutional and charter rights and their democratic organizations. The Sask. Party government has announced it will table a number of pieces of anti-union/anti-worker legislation. In the past week, Wall and his cabinet have announced plans to amend (without consultation) the Trade Union Act respecting union certification and employer communication; to open-end the length of collective agreements; and to bring in unneccessary and intrusive "essential services legislation". This is just what they have announced, I'm not sure what else they plan to introduce.

I'm curious as to how this squares with Mr. Wall's election campaign commitment to "reach out to labour". As far as I'm aware, he hasn't consulted with anyone in the labour movement about any of these proposed legislative changes.

Yesterday's National Post carried a commentary by Sara Slinn from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University entitled: Anti-union intimidation is real. I think it's a preview of what we are about to witness in Saskatchewan.

I found this section of the commentary particularly revealing:

"Most academic studies find that employer anti-union tactics are both widespread and effective. A survey of managers at Canadian workplaces where union organizing had recently occurred found 94% used anti-union tactics, and 12% admitted to using what they believed to be illegal, unfair labour practices to discourage employees from unionizing.

The commentators cited academic research showing that introduction of mandatory vote procedures significantly reduce the probability of certification. They suggested that mandatory votes remove this imbalance, and thus fewer certifications result. The commentators implied this was because of a weakness of the card system. However, we must be very careful about making such an assumption.

Academic research, including one of the studies referred to by the commentators, suggests a different explanation. It suggests that the explanation lies in the advantage votes give to employer anti-union efforts. Unionization is less likely under mandatory votes because employers are encouraged to resist unionization and research shows that these union-avoidance efforts (legal and illegal) are more effective under the vote than card system."

Too bad we will have to spend so much time and energy on this when we could be spending our time cooperating, consulting, and working together to create a province that respects the rights of working people in addition to being a great place to work, play, raise a family, and run a business.